Longda Holiday

Stayed here as part of a tour. Plus points - 5 minute walk to Zhaolin Park (ice sculptures as part of the ice festival), plenty of restaurants/shops/cafes around the corner, 10 minute walk to the river where there are lots of winter activities or you can walk across the lake when frozen (there is also a cable car for 50 Yuan each way) to easily reach Sun Island Park for the snow sculptures. To get to the tiger sanctuary it's c. 50 Yuan but expect to pay more on the way back because there's limited business for the taxi drivers. There is a well stocked shop within the hotel but because it's independent it's very reasonably priced. Downside - shabby, dirty rooms with rock hard beds. There is a kettle in the room, no safe (saw some at reception as I was departing!), it's a partial shower curtain in the bathroom meaning the room floods every time you have a shower (plus side is there is decent power). The towels were changed daily but there was no attempt at cleaning and the floor hasn't been cleaned in weeks, as a minimum. Wifi only works in reception. Don't bother with breakfast, much better places outside the hotel. A little tlc required is inadequate, a complete refurbishment would be more appropriate.

The first thing that hits you as you enter the lobby is the overwhelming cigarette smell. The entire hotel reeks of cigarette and there is no respite from it. The rooms had no hot water, water barely heated to take the chill off of the cold water, you could not even call it lukewarm and we were there in January so -14celsius temps during the day and -24 at night and cannot even take a hot shower. The breakfast was pleasant enough and it is in a good location being close to the pedestrian mall but due to the stench of cigarette and lack of hot water, we rang our travel agent and demanded a different hotel for the rest of stay after the first night.

The hotel is a bit shabby - definitely in need of a lick of paint here or there and some modern decor. But the bed ewas comfy, the heating worked (very important when it's -36c at night!!!) and the TV/shower/toilet were all servicable. Anyway, we were in Harbin for the ice festval, sowe knew we wouldnt be staying in the hotel so much, so the fact it wasn't the Ritz didnt bother us. So if that's your situation go ahead and book and you will be fine. One thing to remember, though: the staff speak very little to no English. My BF and I were travelling with 2 friends and we can all speak a little Chinese so this wasnt a major issue for us, but do be wary. If you speak Russian they will probably be able to help you, though, as pretty much all the other clientele in the hotel were Russian, and a worker at the hotel even greeted me in Russian presuming that's where I was from (this will happen to you, too if you're fair-skinned! "Prevet!" Ha!). The breakfast reflected this Russian theme, too, with strange little fries served - which were actually pretty yummy! Definitely eat the tapioca glutinous balls - they're my fave Chinese food, and I've lived here almost 2 years! There is a convienience store in the lobby selling snacks and day-to-day things you'll need to take out on day trips etc, and the lady who runs it is very friendly, so definitely buy her stuff. She was so kind to us she even gave us free tangerines.... awwww,sweet.